Bari Italian In Cedar Rapids Is Serving Some Of The Freshest Pasta In Iowa

There is just something different about fresh pasta. Some of us were lucky enough to have childhood memories of rolling out noodles with grandma at the kitchen counter, while others discovered this hidden gem of Italian cuisine when they paid a visit to an Italian market. But it's not always easy to find on a restaurant menu - and this goes double for a restaurant that makes its pasta in-house. There are a few well-known high-end restaurants in Des Moines that serve fresh pasta, but surprisingly, one of the best spots for fresh pasta in Iowa is in the state's second city, Cedar Rapids. Bari Italian, located in a condo complex known as The Metropolitan, opened in 2019 and has made a big name for itself with some inventive preparations of fresh pasta that have put it on the culinary map. One bite of the pasta here and you won't want to go back to dried pasta again!

Bari Italian just opened a few years back, but this unique pasta restaurant is quickly making a mark.

The swanky, club-like restaurant is known for its inventive takes on Italian classics - and it all starts with the core ingredients.

Keep an eye out on the appetizer menu for the gnocchi ripieni - the crispest cheese fritters you'll ever taste.

For most people, though, it's all about the pasta here. The pasta is made fresh, in-house, and makes a perfect canvas for inventive sauces and ragouts.

The filled pastas are usually a highlight here - incredibly delicate but hearty, with new filling combos all the time.

But the meat isn't an afterthought here, either - there is always a strong selection of larger plates perfect for dinner.

Ending your meal with a drink and the note-perfect creme brulee is always a great choice at Bari Italian.

Have you visited Bari Italian in Cedar Rapids? What's your favorite spot for fresh pasta in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section, and follow the Bari Italian Facebook page for the latest innovations from the kitchen. Cedar Rapids has become quite the culinary gem in recent years - coffee lovers will be thrilled to discover the Cedar Rapids Java Trail. And if you're looking for a place to sleep off a massive pasta meal, check into the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex, only a short distance from Bari Italian.